UGM Professor Urges Vigilance Over 'Cicada' Covid-19 Variant

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A new variant of Covid-19 known as Cicada has sparked global concern, although it has yet to be detected in Indonesia.

Amid a relatively controlled domestic situation, a microbiology expert from Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Indonesia,  is urging the public to remain calm while maintaining vigilance.

Professor Tri Wibawa from the Department of Microbiology at UGM’s Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing said preliminary data does not indicate that the variant is more aggressive than its predecessors.

The variant, a descendant of the virus that causes Covid-19, was first reported to have emerged in South Africa in November 2024.

After going undetected for some time, the variant has reappeared and has reportedly spread to at least 23 countries as of February 2026. Nevertheless, Indonesian health authorities have not found any cases of the variant within the country.

“There is no indication that the Cicada variant is more dangerous than the previous strain,” Tri said on April 10.

According to him, there are no significant clinical differences. The symptoms remain similar to those of regular Covid-19, ranging from mild flu-like illness to severe conditions, depending on a patient’s health status and immune response.

In terms of protection, Tri emphasized that vaccination remains a crucial factor. He noted that while virus mutations may affect vaccine effectiveness, individuals who have been vaccinated or previously infected generally have a more prepared immune response compared to those who have not.

However, Tri cautioned that the potential threat could increase if public complacency grows. He stressed the importance of maintaining discipline in basic preventive measures.

“There are no specific measures to confront Cicada. The principle remains the same: vaccination, healthy living, maintaining hygiene, and avoiding activities when sick,” he said.

He further highlighted the need to strengthen anticipatory measures through early detection and health system readiness. The government and healthcare facilities are encouraged to maintain surveillance capacity, including monitoring variants through laboratory testing.

So far, Indonesia remains in a relatively safe position. However, previous pandemic experience has shown that the spread of new variants can occur rapidly, meaning that public calm must be balanced with consistent vigilance.

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